M-Brew has a porch patio and street-level picnic tables to relax at while customers enjoy their favorite beverage, snack or meal.
Mitch Hotts — Digital First Media

Let’s just say Dean Bach loves Michigan.

That why the restaurant entrepreneur — he’s the owner of Dino’s Lounge on Woodward Avenue in Ferndale — has assembled a sampling of some of the Great Lakes State’s best products into a new place called M-Brew.

Located in a renovated VFW hall off Ferndale’s main drag, M-Brew is a place to grab a coffee in the daytime and a beer anytime, along with Michigan foods, from Frankenmuth chicken to Sanders hot fudge, in a venue that resembles an Up North ski lodge.

“It’s a carry-out and cafe like you’d find in a northern Michigan gas station,” Bach said. “We wanted to bring northern Michigan products to southern Michigan, we just took the road trip out of the equation.”

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M-Brew has been open for a few weeks now, but will celebrate its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, says Chris Hughes, marketing manager for the Ferndale Downtown Development Authority.

Bach’s team has done a masterful job at injecting new life in the neglected building, but also pulling attention to an area off Woodward behind the Magic Bag theater. That creates another gathering spot for the city’s vibrant downtown, as it is located immediately next to Valentine’s Distilling Detroit.

Bach says the state’s growing craft beer movement was one factor in his decision to launch another business in the south Oakland County community.

“Michigan communities supported Michigan during the downturn by buying local products,” Bach said. “We have developed a real pride and love for our products. We need to keep that philosophy now that times are getting better.”

M-Brew offers 30 Michigan craft beers on tap and growlers for carry-out, with stellar names such as Warren-based Kuhnhenn and Dragonmead, along with Founders, Liberty Street and Atwater.

It also has its own brand of coffee.

“We have house blends with maple and bacon flavor or blueberry cinnamon crumbcake,” says employee Bethany Dydowski of Berkley. “They’re both delicious.”

The menu includes “grab and go” or “hot to order” entrees, snacks, sandwiches, salad and soups for in-house consumption or carry out.

It also has dog treats for sale.

The vibe is decidedly laid back in the 6,000-square-foot facility.

Drinks are served in plastic cups and customers help themselves to the food.

“By getting your own beer and seating yourself, we are able to offer a significantly lower price point for quality food and drink,” Bach says.

Bach has opened up the building with windows that allow in generous streams of sunlight. The interior includes pine walls, reclaimed Douglas fir counters and tabletops, a fireplace and seating for about 30. There’s also a comfortable outdoor patio with picnic tables that is inviting.

In addition, there is a basement game room with old-school video and pinball, and shuffleboard games.

The 2,000-square-foot kitchen will serve as a home base for Dino’s Catering and Mindful Catering, more Bach-backed businesses.

Bach says he’s been living “26-hour days” since launching M-Brew while keeping Dino’s a thriving restaurant and nightclub. He also is a community philanthropist and serves on Ferndale’s DDA Board of Directors.

You might think with M-Brew up and running that Bach could kick back and enjoy the fruits of his labor, but you’d be wrong.

“I’m already looking for other locations for the next M-Brew,” he says, adding he is considering an eastside location somewhere in Macomb County.

M-Brew is at 177 Vester, west of Woodward and north of Nine Mile Road. Hours are 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to midnight Friday through Saturday, and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.